Nightshade: Death of a Psychic

"Well, we should be back now." Nightshade chimed hopping up from his chair, if he had to be honest, the chairs were a nice touch. Good for long flights, he thought as he looked over at the sleeping form on the other seat.

Torri had fallen asleep a long while ago after he's tinkered up some new glasses, he felt bad for putting her in danger like that. He should have known better. Yet he felt like he had to impress her, he almost laughed at the idea. Pandora's engines began to spin down and he stood from his chair, gently nudging the filly awake. She sleepily slid out of the chair to her feet, much to Nightshade's amusement. He found it uncanny how she and Ace seemed to interact with Pandora. It wasn't like the old girl to pick favourites, she even flew silently so Torri could sleep.

"Come on kiddo," Nightshade offered a hand and she grabbed it, "That's enough scary adventure for one day. Doncha think?"

"Mmhm," Was all Torri could muster in her groggy state.

Nightshade approached the front doors and snapped his fingers, Pandora's doors flying open in response. He stepped out, still smiling at Torri, the moment the sun touched his mane there was the familiar clicking and clacking of multiple guns. With a sigh, the unicorn glanced up at the squad of Royal Guards surrounding him and his ship. Had it been another life, he might have just erased them all.

"What is it with Equestrians and guns? Before you gents even say anything, the guns won't be needed." Nights tried.

"If you think I'm gonna march your changeling ass- "

"Whoa! Language!" Nightshade shouted, taking a step forward causing all the guards to flick off the safety on their weapons. "Can't you see I've got a little lady with me? Didn't your mother teach you not to swear in a lady's presence?"

The guard was a bit speechless as he eyed Torri in mild confusion, "Either way... Osiris. Transport us."

In the blink of an eye, the entire group was suddenly just outside the throne room doors. Nights could faintly hear a conversation on the other side, three different voices. A cold sweat came over him, one he couldn't understand.

Why am I nervous? It's just Ace... I'm not... I'm not afraid of him. Imagine that, ha! Me... Afraid of... He thought bravely, but a nagging feeling in the back of his head said otherwise.

He wasn't afraid of the Prince, he was afraid of what the young alicorn would do.

"Well, guys, they're clearly busy-," Nightshade was halted by Strike opening the door from the inside. "Bugger... You ratted me out, Strike?"

She just stared straight ahead, her pristine helmet casting a deep shadow over her eyes. He couldn't believe it, especially after he'd gone out of his way to help Struck? He and Torri were ushered into the room, Celestia and Luna stared daggers into his soul. If looks could kill, he'd be in a stone prison. The prince, however, stared out the window facing away from the filly and stallion. The only visible changes were the elegantly tailored suit he wore instead of sweats or any of the clothes Nightshade had gotten him. He slowly glanced over his shoulder, his baby blue eyes locked on Nightshade's bloody crimson. There was an odd terror that gripped him. Why would he be afraid of Ace? Ace is harmless.

Celestia walked past him with Luna in tow, "If it were up to me, they would have just executed you. Bug."

The princesses and Strike cleared out, leaving just three. Nightshade, Ace and Torri who seemed more than confused and now wide awake. It was silent. Eerily silent.

"I just need to know," Ace started in a low and almost disarming voice. "Are you really him? Did Captain Strike tell me the truth?"

"I'm not a-"

Ace stomped and a thunderous clap of magic filled the air holding Nights like a chokehold, "Truth is a single word. Lies are many. Answer."

"Yes."

"Are you a changeling?"

"No."

"Who is the filly?"

"Friend."

"Where have you been?"

"Everywhere." Nightshade meant that, and Ace's grip loosened.

The young prince marched up and slapped the taller stallion probably harder than he'd ever been slapped, he coulda sworn Ace had knocked something loose.

"What the he- Mhm!" Nights rage was silenced by a deep and passionate kiss, now he was confused.

What? What the hell? This isn't right, why is he?

Nights separated himself from the prince, "What are you doing? Th-that's highly inappropriate! Plus you gave Torri a complete eye-full of whatever that was- "

"Right, sorry." Ace smiled, "I've just never been so happy to see anyone in my life. I knew you'd be back, you said so. It just took you longer."

That hurt the unicorn to hear, that Ace still believed he was alive after all that time. There was a mild tingle in the back of his head.

"So what's up? You look worried."

Ace frowned, "I have a problem. A colossal problem. A drifter problem."

"A drifter," Nightshade scoffed, "Come on, you could send some guards to mop up some random drifter causing issues."

"Were it so easy," Ace sighed shakily and tried to maintain the smile with little success, "You know, I think you coming back is a good omen. Cause last week this drifter send three guards back to Canterlot in body bags."

Nightshade motioned for Ace to continue.

"I want to welcome you back properly, maybe even get Luna to give you your job back... Hell, you can take me out after this... But this drifter threatened to assassinate two ponies who are now under Luna's personal watch. You're the only one I can trust with this-"

"Who were they-"

"Strike and Sioux. I can only guess why."

"He wouldn't."

"They have the means and capabilities..."

Nightshade almost cursed under his breath. He had completely forgotten about Sioux, not to mention Strike's condition is bad as is and she refused to take leave. This was brewing up something that wasn't gonna end pretty.

"Nightshade? What do you know about the Samurai of Manehatten?"